2010 census needs your help

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - You can help West Texas receive both political power and federal funds in just 10 minutes. That is what the U.S. Census Bureau says about the 2010 Census. The number of congressional seats West Texas gets, as well as the amount of funding for roads, schools and hospitals from the federal government depends greatly on how many people fill out the 2010 Census form.

There are 10 questions on the census, and the information is confidential for 72 years. They don't share it with any other government or private agencies, so they stress that everyone should fill out the form, no matter what your status with the government is. "We don't share information with the IRS, your land lord, the mayor. Everything is kept confidential. We're only interested in the statistics," said Gabriel Sanchez, the Regional Director of the U.S. Census.

They also need census workers from the area. "We need people in rural communities. We need people right in the heart of Lubbock. We need people everywhere to apply and get in the system so when we get to hire we'll have them available for work at that time," said Sanchez.

Census workers make anywhere from $8 to $24 an hour, and the jobs last an average of 8 to 10 weeks. They plan to hire about 2,000 people from the Lubbock and Midland areas. If you would like be a census worker call 866-861-2010. They'll set up a time for you to take a basic skills test.

All households should receive the short questionnaire in the mail in March.

It will be a slow clearing trend and warmup for the South Plains. By late afternoon the high temps will range from near 50 in the western South Plains to the low 40s in the areas along and east of the Caprock.

It will be a slow clearing trend and warmup for the South Plains. By late afternoon the high temps will range from near 50 in the western South Plains to the low 40s in the areas along and east of the Caprock.

Students who survived the Florida school shooting are preparing to flood the Capitol pushing to ban the assault-style rifle used to kill 17 people, vowing to make changes in the November election if they can't...

Students who survived the Florida school shooting are preparing to flood the Capitol pushing to ban the assault-style rifle used to kill 17 people, vowing to make changes in the November election if they can't persuade lawmakers to change law now.